Accessibility

If you experience problems viewing our web pages, you may be able to change settings in your web browser to alter the way pages are shown.

Most browsers will allow you to change the size of text on a web page, change the colour of text, and change the background colour which may make your experience more enjoyable.

If you experience problems with any of our web-based forms please ensure your browser has JavaScript enabled. Consult the information for your relevant browser below for details on how to enable JavaScript.

Please note that not all browsers may have JavaScript installed, and in certain locations or organisations it may not be possible to enable JavaScript. The instructions below are guidelines which are to be used at your own risk and NHS Professionals cannot offer support or advice for individual system configurations.

The NHS Professionals website uses pop-up browser windows in some areas of the site. You may need to disable any pop-up blocking software or other related security software temporarily. We have provided instructions below in relation to pop-up blocking functionality in the relevant web browsers.

We are not able to go into great depth for every browser available, but we have tried to give advice below for Internet Explorer.

Internet Explorer

How do I enable JavaScript in my browser?

Within the browser window, select the ‘Tools’ menu, ‘Internet Options’ and select the ‘Security’ tab.

At this point you can select the 'Default Level' button which will enable JavaScript and return all of the browsers security features to the recommended level. Alternatively select 'Custom Level' and choose 'Enable' under the 'Active Scripting' heading to enable JavaScript without affecting your other security settings. Click ‘OK’ to apply the changes.

How do I ignore the font or colour settings for a web page?

Within the browsers window, select the ‘Tools’ menu, ‘Internet Options’ and select ‘Accessibility’ which is on the ‘General’ tab.

You will be presented with options to ignore colours, font styles and font sizes on web pages. After making any changes, click ‘OK’ twice to apply any changes you made.

How do I change the colour of text and the background for a web page?

Within the browsers window, select ‘Tools’, ‘Internet Options’ and then the ‘Colors’ option under the ‘General’ tab.

You will be able to change the setting for ‘Use windows colours’ (default web page colours), then select your own colours for the text and background. For a high contrast, it is advisable to use black text on a yellow background.

After making your changes click ‘OK’ twice to make the changes you have selected apply to the web page.

How do I change the font used on a web page?

Within the browser window, select ‘Tools’, ‘Internet Options’ and then ‘Accessibility’ under the ‘General’ tab.

By clicking on the ‘Ignore font styles specified on web pages’ and selecting a new font from ‘Fonts’ on the ‘General’ tab, you will be able to change the font used for web pages and plain text.

Click ‘OK’ twice to save your changes and apply the settings to the web page.

How do I change the font size for a web page?

Within the browser window, select ‘Page’ and select ‘Text size’ to provide a list of available text sizes. By selecting the required size, the text in the web page will change appropriately.

How do I stop images in web pages from downloading?

This change allows you to only view text in a web page. Within the browser window, select ‘Tools’, ‘Internet Options’ and select the ‘Advanced’ tab. Scroll down the list until you reach ‘Multimedia’, un-tick the ‘Show pictures’ option and click ‘OK’ to apply the change.

How do I allow pop-ups?

If a message appears at the top of the web page stating ‘Pop-up blocked. To see this pop-up or additional options click here...’. click on the message and choose to either temporarily allow pop-ups or to always allow pop-ups from www.nhsprofessionals.nhs.uk.